Skills
In the coming weeks, we will be bombarded with news that a starting pitcher is working on a new pitch or is feeling the best he has felt in years. Most of this is noise. The better storylines to follow in spring training are the more subtle ones.
Feb 20 2012 12:01am
Feb 20 2012 12:01am
With outfielders, we find more value disparities than any other position. One clear rule emerges: others overvalue youth and undervalue reliability. Having so many more roster spots causes outfielders to fall if your leaguemates overvalue positional scarcity.
Feb 19 2012 12:01am
Feb 19 2012 12:01am
Hanley Ramirez (3B, MIA) would like to forget his 2011 season. A .243 BA with 10 HR and 45 RBI isn't exactly the kind of production we have grown to expect from Ramirez. So what can we expect in 2012?
Feb 18 2012 12:01am
Feb 18 2012 12:01am
Miguel Cabrera answered critics of his off-field behavior last season by earning his first batting title, producing yet another 30-100-.300+ season. Cabrera is being challenged to shift back to 3B, his primary position in the early years of his career before joining DET. Potential 3B eligibility would further enhance the perceived value of this perennial Triple Crown threat.
Feb 17 2012 12:00am
Feb 17 2012 12:00am
Those expecting big power numbers from Aaron Hill (2B, ARI) last year were sorely disappointed. The same player who connected for 36 HRs two seasons ago managed just eight homers in 520 ABs between Toronto and Arizona. Meanwhile, he stole as many bags as he did during the previous five years combined. His average has seen wild swings over the past few seasons, too.
Feb 16 2012 12:01am
Feb 16 2012 12:01am
This column takes a deeper dive into pens where the closers have weaker skill sets and could lose the role, giving other relievers hidden value.
Feb 15 2012 12:01am
Feb 15 2012 12:01am
2011 was a lost year for Joe Mauer (C, MIN). He had arthroscopic surgery on his knee in the offseason, and then missed two months of the first half with leg weakness. Signs are good that Mauer can return to his previous form.
Feb 15 2012 12:01am
Feb 15 2012 12:01am
[FREE] The chances you’ll find a diamond in the rough among NRIs are about the same as finding a box of chocolates in the garage because you forgot today is Valentine’s Day.
Feb 14 2012 12:01am
Feb 14 2012 12:01am
Though an ill-advised pickup basketball game cost him a month worth of starts, Zack Greinke (RHP, MIL) bounced back and completed a fine first season in Milwaukee—16 wins and a sub-4.00 ERA. Those stats, though, didn't do justice to his phenomenal skills season of 2011.
Feb 14 2012 12:01am
Feb 14 2012 12:01am
JJ Hardy put together a career year in 2011 by applying the strong batting skills he'd shown in the past in conjunction with logging 500+ ABs for the first time since 2008. Even after missing a month with an oblique strain, Hardy made the most of his new home in hitter-friendly Camden Yards by posting terrific offensive numbers, particularly in terms of power.
Feb 13 2012 12:01am
Feb 13 2012 12:01am
If you don't have guys like Parker, Slowey, Owings, Volquez, Volstad, and even Zambrano on your watch lists heading into spring training, here's why you are making a mistake.
Feb 13 2012 12:01am
Feb 13 2012 12:01am
In the coming weeks, we will be bombarded with news that a starting pitcher is working on a new pitch or is feeling the best he has felt in years. Most of this is noise. The better storylines to follow in spring training are the more subtle ones.
Feb 20 2012 12:01am
Feb 20 2012 12:01am
With outfielders, we find more value disparities than any other position. One clear rule emerges: others overvalue youth and undervalue reliability. Having so many more roster spots causes outfielders to fall if your leaguemates overvalue positional scarcity.
Feb 19 2012 12:01am
Feb 19 2012 12:01am
Hanley Ramirez (3B, MIA) would like to forget his 2011 season. A .243 BA with 10 HR and 45 RBI isn't exactly the kind of production we have grown to expect from Ramirez. So what can we expect in 2012?
Feb 18 2012 12:01am
Feb 18 2012 12:01am
Miguel Cabrera answered critics of his off-field behavior last season by earning his first batting title, producing yet another 30-100-.300+ season. Cabrera is being challenged to shift back to 3B, his primary position in the early years of his career before joining DET. Potential 3B eligibility would further enhance the perceived value of this perennial Triple Crown threat.
Feb 17 2012 12:00am
Feb 17 2012 12:00am
Those expecting big power numbers from Aaron Hill (2B, ARI) last year were sorely disappointed. The same player who connected for 36 HRs two seasons ago managed just eight homers in 520 ABs between Toronto and Arizona. Meanwhile, he stole as many bags as he did during the previous five years combined. His average has seen wild swings over the past few seasons, too.
Feb 16 2012 12:01am
Feb 16 2012 12:01am
This column takes a deeper dive into pens where the closers have weaker skill sets and could lose the role, giving other relievers hidden value.
Feb 15 2012 12:01am
Feb 15 2012 12:01am
2011 was a lost year for Joe Mauer (C, MIN). He had arthroscopic surgery on his knee in the offseason, and then missed two months of the first half with leg weakness. Signs are good that Mauer can return to his previous form.
Feb 15 2012 12:01am
Feb 15 2012 12:01am
[FREE] The chances you’ll find a diamond in the rough among NRIs are about the same as finding a box of chocolates in the garage because you forgot today is Valentine’s Day.
Feb 14 2012 12:01am
Feb 14 2012 12:01am
Though an ill-advised pickup basketball game cost him a month worth of starts, Zack Greinke (RHP, MIL) bounced back and completed a fine first season in Milwaukee—16 wins and a sub-4.00 ERA. Those stats, though, didn't do justice to his phenomenal skills season of 2011.
Feb 14 2012 12:01am
Feb 14 2012 12:01am
JJ Hardy put together a career year in 2011 by applying the strong batting skills he'd shown in the past in conjunction with logging 500+ ABs for the first time since 2008. Even after missing a month with an oblique strain, Hardy made the most of his new home in hitter-friendly Camden Yards by posting terrific offensive numbers, particularly in terms of power.
Feb 13 2012 12:01am
Feb 13 2012 12:01am
If you don't have guys like Parker, Slowey, Owings, Volquez, Volstad, and even Zambrano on your watch lists heading into spring training, here's why you are making a mistake.
Feb 13 2012 12:01am
Feb 13 2012 12:01am
